A collection of personal thoughts and experiences - mostly centered around running.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Catching Up . . . Again

Since November, I've been plagued by injury and apathy. I've battled achilles issues intermittently over the past two years thanks to a bony deformation of my left heel (Haglund Def.) which flares-up and gives me nice cases of bursitis and insertional tedinitis from time to time. The likely cause of my most recent case was by ramping up my mileage too quickly post MMTR -- I likely stressed the tissue too much. Regardless, the achilles won-out for about 3-months of the WV winter. The doldrums brought depression and doubt to my love for running.

As spring came, so with it did my desire to train and become "un-injured". The achilles still hurts, but I've learned that running in proper shoes with a graciously cushioned heel counter, the injury is not worsened by running. I'm glad to not let a few centimeters of bone and tissue rob me of my joy!

I had the pleasure of pacing Dan Lehmann to a successful finish at MMT last weekend. It was enough to whet my appetite for adventure and racing. I'm hopeful that I can balance the stresses of training (along with work, fatherhood, etc) and get in a few good races this summer and fall. Balance, balance, balance . . . never has a word carried so much meaning as it does now at this juncture of life.

Hey Adam,Good to hear you're back at it again. I'm always searching and adjusting to find that balance between work, my own little beat-eater, and running. Some days I just can't get out for a run, but others I manage an early morning and a late night jog that helps me stay in some sort of shape. I've come to a happy realization that I won't be able to train/race as much as I'd like to be competitive the next couple years, but I'm more than happy to trade that off with all the rewarding time playing with Sammy. Those roads/trails aren't going anywhere, but as you know now, our kiddos grow so fast!

Dan, I remember when you had Sammy and wrote on your blog about the struggles and about "retiring" from running for a while. I so didn't understand at the time, but now I totally get it! You are correct -- the trails will still be there. Being a father, a good father, is the most important goal in my life.